Degree of food processing and association with overweight and abdominal obesity in adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the association between the degree of food processing, overweight, and abdominal obesity in adolescents. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, with 576 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years, of both sexes. Food consumption was collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire and foods classified as in natura or minimally processed, processed foods associated with culinary ingredients, and ultraprocessed foods. Sociodemographic data, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were collected. The analysis was evaluated by the Mann-Whitney test and prevalence ratio with 95% confidence interval, considering p<0.05. Results An intake above the third quartile of processed foods associated with culinary ingredients (prevalence ratio of 1.64; 95%CI: 1.12-2.42) and ultraprocessed (prevalence ratio of 1.58; 95%CI: 1.07-2.34) was associated with a higher prevalence of overweight. Consumption above the third quartile of ultraprocessed foods was associated with a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity, assessed by waist circumference (prevalence ratio of 2.48; 95%CI: 1.41-4.36), and waist-height ratio (prevalence ratio of 2.09; 95%CI: 1.11-3.92). Conclusion A higher consumption of processed foods associated with culinary ingredients was related to being overweight, and ultraprocessed foods with overweight and abdominal obesity.

摘要：
研究目的：探讨青少年食品加工程度与超重、腹型肥胖之间的关联。
研究方法：本研究为横断面研究，共纳入576名年龄10至17岁的男女青少年。采用食物频率问卷（Food Frequency Questionnaire）收集膳食摄入数据，并将食品划分为原生或最低限度加工食品（in natura or minimally processed foods）、搭配烹饪原料的加工食品（processed foods associated with culinary ingredients）以及超加工食品（ultraprocessed foods）三类；同时收集研究对象的社会人口学资料、体质指数（Body Mass Index, BMI）、腰围及腰围身高比。统计分析采用曼-惠特尼U检验（Mann-Whitney test）及患病率比结合95%置信区间（95%CI），检验水准设定为p<0.05。
研究结果：搭配烹饪原料的加工食品摄入量高于第三四分位数者（患病率比为1.64；95%CI：1.12~2.42）以及超加工食品摄入量高于第三四分位数者（患病率比为1.58；95%CI：1.07~2.34），其超重患病率更高。超加工食品摄入量高于第三四分位数者，经腰围及腰围身高比评估的腹型肥胖患病率更高，其中以腰围评估时患病率比为2.48（95%CI：1.41~4.36），以腰围身高比评估时患病率比为2.09（95%CI：1.11~3.92）。
研究结论：较高的搭配烹饪原料的加工食品摄入与超重相关，超加工食品摄入则与超重及腹型肥胖相关。